Member of Withrow’s NHS spends time in his home country of Cameroon

This summer Oliver Tiani Vessah, a member of Withrow’s National Honor Society, spent time in his home country of Cameroon, a country located in West Africa. Here, he describes how he invoked three of the four pillars of the National Honor Society (Service, Leadership, and Character) to impact the children in his community.

This summer, I had the opportunity to return to Cameroon, not just to reconnect with my roots, but to make a difference. With generous support from local enterprises, including Connect S.A. (a provider that offers internet access in Cameroon), Ecobank, and Neptune Oil, who collectively donated around 5 million FCFA (our currency – this amount is just under $10,000 US dollars), I organized a community event focused on empowering local youth and supporting orphanages in the area. My goal was to create a meaningful day that could foster lasting connections, raise awareness, and inspire the younger generation in Cameroon.

The event was designed to engage the children through a mix of shared activities and moments that underscored the importance of community. We began with a warm welcome from the children, who had prepared songs and poetry, setting a joyful tone. We cooked and ate together, engaged in arts and crafts, and shared stories—activities that seemed simple on the surface but held a much deeper purpose. Each moment was a chance to show these children and young leaders that they are valued and that their voices matter.

An important aspect of the day was inviting a local youth group to join us. This collaboration was intended to not only bring added energy to the event but also to highlight the incredible work these young leaders are already doing in their communities. By bringing them into the spotlight, I hoped to help raise awareness of their efforts and encourage them to continue their advocacy work. The event became a platform for these young people to gain visibility, connect with supporters, and feel seen and appreciated for their contributions.

The outcomes were far-reaching. The orphanage children left with a renewed sense of belonging and support, while the youth group leaders gained confidence and encouragement to pursue their initiatives. Conversations during and after the event sparked ideas for future projects, and I witnessed how quickly collaboration can lead to new possibilities. Seeing these young leaders interact with the orphanage children, offer guidance, and discuss their own dreams for the community was deeply inspiring. It emphasized the idea that change, no matter how small, is achievable when people come together with a shared purpose.

For me, organizing this event was a reminder of the impact we can make by empowering youth. Through this experience, I wanted to show the children that they are not alone and that their dreams can lead to real change. It’s my hope that this event laid the groundwork for them to continue building a strong, supportive network within their community. I left with a renewed commitment to keep supporting initiatives like this, knowing that even a single day of shared experiences and encouragement can inspire the next generation to reach beyond their circumstances and envision a brighter future for themselves and their community.